Welcome back for Term 4. This week I spent time away with the Year 6 on camp and what a wonderful way to start the term. I sincerely thank all of those involved with the camp as it was a great way to have some fun and to also share with the students some quality time before they depart and head off at the end of term to begin a new adventure known as Secondary or High school. We have a large number of events happening this term and it is important that we all keep up to date. Please check the newsletter dates and Parent portal as regularly as possible. Just some of the ones ahead are Mission Day, Remembrance Day, Swimming Carnival and Starry Starry Night.

This month however is traditionally in our Catholic faith calendar our Mission month and a time of prayer. The word Rosary means "Crown of Roses". The rose is the queen of flowers, and so the Rosary is the rose of all devotions and it is therefore the most important one. The Holy Rosary is considered a perfect prayer because within it lies the awesome story of our salvation. With the Rosary in fact we meditate the mysteries of joy, of sorrow and the glory of Jesus and Mary. It's a simple prayer, humble so much like Mary. It's a prayer we can all say together with Her, the Mother of God. With the Hail Mary we invite Her to pray for us. 

During the Month of October, the Catholic Church celebrates the Month of the Rosary. Here at St Joseph’s, all students will be saying a decade of the Rosary each day in their classroom. It is a lovely tradition that allows us to participate in this special prayer during the month of October. By praying the Rosary we are asking Mary to help us to come closer to God.The Mysteries of the Rosary trace the life of Jesus. The focus of the rosary is two-fold. While praying each Hail Mary one is meant to ponder the aspect of Jesus’ life captured in the name of the Mystery.There are four sets, with five mysteries in each set.

Joyful Mysteries The AnnunciationThe VisitationThe Birth of JesusThe Presentation in the TempleFinding the Child Jesus in the Temple	Sorrowful Mysteries The Agony in the GardenThe Scourging at the PillarCrowning with ThornsCarrying of the CrossThe Crucifixion
Mysteries of Light (Luminous) Christ’s Baptism in the JordanThe Wedding at CanaThe Proclamation of the KingdomThe TransfigurationThe Institution of the Eucharist	Glorious Mysteries The ResurrectionThe AscensionThe Descent of the Holy SpiritThe AssumptionThe Coronation of Mary

Praying a decade consists of – The Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 10 Hail Marys, 1 Glory be to the Father and finishing with the Sign of the Cross. During the month of October, let us consider this beautiful prayer of the Rosary as a means that we too can use, in order to draw closer to Jesus and Mary by meditating on the great mysteries of our salvation.

The month of October is Mission Month and Catholic Mission is again calling it ‘Socktober.’  Further information with regards to our fundraising event will be distributed next week. We will be holding our Children’s Mission Day on Thursday 31^st October and then on the Friday we will pray a prayer for Catholic Mission at assembly. In Australia, Catholic Mission designates one day in October each year as Children's Mission Day to promote mission in a manner appropriate and relevant to students, and to celebrate the wonderful fundraising efforts to support Catholic Mission’s work with children worldwide. When we allow God to act through us in love for others, bringing the fruits of the spirit into the world - reconciliation, forgiveness, justice, peace, harmony, joy, and love - we build God's family and help everyone experience fullness of life.

Blessings and wishes for a wonderful week ahead,

Amanda